In memory of R.B. Greaves, who recently passed away from cancer, this post features his biggest hit, "Take A Letter, Maria." It reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts in 1969.
Greaves penned the song about a man sending a letter to his unfaithful wife after he walks in on her "in the arms of another man." The narrator, after packing his bags and leaving the house, dictates a letter to his secretary, which is repeated in the song's chorus:
"So take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gonna start a new life
So take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life"
"Was I wrong to work nights to try to build a good life
All work and no play just cost me a wife"
I think the song takes a cute twist at the end when he turns his attention to Maria:
"I never really noticed how sweet you are to me
It just so happens I'm free tonight
Would you like to have dinner with me?"
I believe the horns in the song give the song a Latin flavor. It was recorded at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama.
If you read the obituary, you'll find that Greaves was a nephew to the late, great singer Sam Cooke, one of my all-time favorite artists.
"Take A Letter, Maria" lyrics
You really find some of my favorite oldies to write about! I haven't heard this one in years! A nice bit of trivia. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMany of the oldies were stories about love, heartbreak, and tragedy. Thanks for the comment, Sandie.
ReplyDeleteRemember it well when it came out in the sixties I was playing spin the bottle. Lol I was young . Funny.
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